FIELD TRIPS
A Place to Learn and Grow
Visit the Columbus Botanical Garden and let your students “learn naturally” in a fun interactive outdoor setting! The Garden offers both guided and self-guided programs giving your students the opportunity to discover all that nature has to offer!
DISCOVER NATURE
Discover Nature is a series of guided programs for your school an/or day care. Our programs have been designed for Kindergarten and elementary age students with material tailored for grade level of each group. Programs are inquiry-based, emphasize direct experience and teamwork and support the Georgia Performance Science Standards. Each program is 60-75 minutes and can be customized to your curriculum requirements. So, discover nature at the Columbus Botanical Garden and give your students the opportunity to enjoy their classroom — outdoors!
| Cost | Program Length | Days Available | Times Available | Maximum Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $3 per person | 60-75 minutes | Tuesday, Wednesdays or Thursdays | 9am or 11:30am | One Class to Full Grade Level. 1 Adult per 5 Students |
ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS
Spend an hour discovering the beauty of the Columbus Botanical Garden with your preschool, day care, or elementary age youth group! During your visit, have fun exploring the Joann Holt Walking Trail and learning about herbs in our “Plant Connections” program or meeting some of the Garden’s most interesting residents – butterflies and their pollinator pals – in our “Butterflies & Beyond” program. All enrichment programs are led by garden educators and include sensory-based activities, active garden and/or trail exploration, and an art project.
Plant Connections (K-5)
Immerse your students in the science of botany as they use their senses to identify plants! From leaves to bark to fruit, kids explore how to use observable characteristics to identify different plants. During this program, kids have a fun herbal experience learning about the unique scents of herbs and how these scents can be used in both identification and in making some of their favorite foods! A scavenger hunt on the Joann Holt Walking Trail engages all senses to deepen plant awareness while searching for observable features and patterns. Finally, an art project to commemorate their plant connections experience!
Butterflies & Beyond (K-5)
Explore the world of butterflies and their pollinator pals at the Columbus Botanical Garden! Students will be introduced to the interdependent relationship between butterflies and plants – understanding the importance of host and nectar plants and the important role they play in the butterfly life cycle. A tour through the garden will give kids the unique opportunity to observe butterflies and other pollinators up close and personal. Finally, a special butterfly art project is a part of this fun, interactive learning experience!
Programs must be booked at least one month in advance.
Into the Woods Weblos Adventure
Bring your Cub Scout pack to the Columbus Botanical Garden for a fun-filled hour long program that supports requirements for the Weblos “Into the Woods” elective adventure. We start off learning about different kinds of trees and ways we can identify them. We will discuss the ways humans and animals rely on trees and investigate tree parts to uncover the stories they tell. We will go on a nature walk to identify different trees around the garden. Finally, we will talk about how to care for plants and pot up a plant for you to take home!
| Cost | Program Length | Days Available | Times Available | Maximum Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $3 per person | 60-75 minutes | Tuesday, Wednesdays or Thursdays | 9am or 11:30am | 10-30 Students. 1 Adult per 5 Students |
GARDEN LIFE
A STEAM APPROACH FOR SECOND GRADERS
The Columbus Botanical Garden is offering a special field trip for second graders that addresses Georgia Standards of Excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math.
Programs last 90-120 minutes, are led by Garden Educators, and consist of hands-on learning stations that promote the exploration of botanical science and the Garden itself.
Fall Garden Life field trips are scheduled for September, October and November.
Spring Garden Life field trips are scheduled for March, April and May.
| Cost | Program Length | Days Available | Times Available | Maximum Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $5 per person | 90-120 minutes | Tuesday, Wednesdays or Thursdays | 9am or 11:30am | One Class to Full Grade Level. 1 Adult per 5 Students |
